Home / Education / Medical School Opens Doors in Southern Alberta
Medical School Opens Doors in Southern Alberta
15 Sep
Summary
- A new medical program launched in southern Alberta.
- The program is a joint venture between two universities.
- Alberta's government invested $224 million to fund expansion.
Medical training has officially arrived in southern Alberta with the launch of the Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) at the University of Lethbridge. Classes are currently underway for the inaugural cohort of 20 students, a joint offering by the University of Lethbridge and the University of Calgary. This program allows students to complete their entire medical education within southern Alberta, following the University of Calgary's three-year curriculum.
The launch of SAMP is a critical step in addressing the doctor shortage affecting southern Alberta and the wider healthcare sector. The Alberta government is investing $224 million into the Rural Medical Education Program, with funding allocated to training hubs in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie. This initiative aims to strengthen Alberta's physician workforce and improve access to care for Albertans, allowing more patients to receive medical services closer to home.
Planning for the program began in 2023, with official approval in April 2024 and a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2024. The first cohort, which began studies in July 2024, is slated to graduate in 2029, receiving a medical degree from the University of Calgary.
